Cooker



Dec. 15, 1931. L. v. JOHNSON COOKER Filed March 12, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l [NVENTOIL Patented Dec. 15, i931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE LINCOLN V. J OBIN' SON 0F SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSGNOR T0 GARDNER MANU?? FACTURING COMPANY, LTD., OF SUNNYV'ALE, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA l cooxEn Application led March 12, 1930. Serial No. 435,198.

This invention relates to apparatus lfor the treat-ing of filled cans; particularly to apparatus of the type used in the canning art, in which the cans are advanced thru a chamber in a helical pathfrom the inlet to the outlet of the chamber.

This application is of similar type to my i coqiencling application tiled January 30, 1928, Serial No. 250,429.

@ne of the objects of the invention is the provision of an apparatus in which the cans aremoved on a helical track by an annular series of rails rotated around the track, between the shell of the apparatus and the track, without necessitating the rotation of the track, or of the shell.

Another object of the inventionis the provision of an apparatus oi the above type in which the annular .series of rails or shifting bars is supported and driven at the ends and intermediate the ends of the bars, thus the apparatus may be made of any length, the torsional limitation due to the length of the bars being obviated.

Another object ot the invention is the provision of an annular series ot bars to axially rotate around a helical track to advance cans on the track, each bar being provided with can retaining elements thereon to coniine the cans on the track, thereby to prevent thebumping of the cans against the wall of the shell; said retaining elements being so arranged as to allow the introducing of the cans onto the track opposite the inlet of the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for the treating of filled cans, having a helical track within a .shell and means to advance the cans on the A track, inA which apparatus interior outlets are provided. communicating` with a point, or with successive points, of the can track, and discharging the cans inwardly into the interior of the track, means being provided to guide the cans from said outlets thru the interior of the shell to an end Vof the shell thru which end the treated cans are removed. In the event of a plurality of outlets, gates are provided to close the inoperative outlets and to complement the helical track thereat,

the gates being adapted to be closedV and opened by controlling mechanisms extending outside of the shell.

Othernobjects and advantages are to provide an apparatus for the treating of iilled.

cans, particularly of the type used in the canning art', that willv be superior in point of simplicity, inexpensiveness of construction, positiveness of operation, and facility and-` convenience in use-andv general efficiency.

In this specification and the annexed drawings, the invention is illustrated in the form considered to be the best, but it is to beunderstoodl that the invention is not limited to such,

form, because it may be embodied in otherira forms.;- and" it is also to be understoodv that in and by the claims following the description, it isdesired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied.

The invention is clearly shown in the ac-vv companying drawings, wherein Fig; 1 is a longitudinal View of the apparatus, showing various parts of the apparatus broken away in section, the interior of the apparatus bein-gexposed to view;y

Fig. 2 is a fragmental sectional view of the apparatus. the section being taken on the line Fig. 3 is a fragmen-tal sectional view ofl the outlet end' of the apparatus, the section r Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the e apparatus, thesection being taken on the line -ofFi .4; and Y,

Fig. 6 is a gragmental, sectional view of the apparatus showing the arrangement of the internaloutlets with a closed inner cylinx der having the can track thereon.

In carrying out my invention,4 I make use of a shell or heating box 6, which is kept at a desired temperature in any suitable manner. 1When used as a cooker it is to be heated by hot water, live steam, or the like. Within the box 6 is a stationary frame 7. The frame 7 may be a closed cylindrical frame, or an open frame structure;` The latter is illustrated in Fig. 1 and it is constructed out ot" CII longitudinal bars 8 arranged circuinferentially to form a frame concentric with the shell 6. Around the frame 7 is secured a helical rail or track 9, said rail 9 being preferably made of T section with its leg portion projecting outwardly into the concentric space 11 between the .track 9 and the shell 6. The helical track 9 has such a pitch thatits coils are separated by a distance adapting the track 9 to receive and support cans 12 lengthwise upon the adjacent arm portions 13 of adjacent coils of the track 9. It is to be noted that the bars 8 of the frame 7 are ixedly secured to the end plates of the shell 6, and the track 9 thereon lies in concentric spaced relation with the shell 6.

Around the circumference of each end of the frame 7 a plurality of rollers 14 are journaled on the respective ends of the bars 8. On these rollers 14 are rotatably mounted ring gears 16, one at each end of the frame 7. The opposite ring gears 16 are joined together by an annular series of longitudinally extended can moving bars or Shifters 17, arranged lengthwise in the space between the track 9 and the shell 6. The ring gears 16 are meshed with drive gears 18, that are fixedly secured to a drive shaft 19 rotatably `journaled in brackets 21 on the outside of the shell 6. The cans introduced at the inlet end of the track 9 are advanced lengthwise cn the helical track by the Shifters 17, which latter are rotated in the space 11 around the axis of the track 9 to move the cans 12. The gears 16 in turn are driven by the gears 18 and the drive shaft 19. It is to be noted that it is not necessary in this apparatus to rotate either the shell or the track, because the movement of the shifting bars 17 accomplishes the advancing of the cans 12 in the stationary shell 6 on the fixed track 9.

The afore-described structure in itself has a limitation as to the length of the apparatus, because the torsional stress on the bars 17 causes the same to twist and distort. In order to obviate this limitation, and to allow the building of the apparatus of any desired length, supporting means are provided to hold the bars 17 intermediate their ends, and also to transmit rotative power to the intermediate points of the bars 17 in synchronism i with the rotation of the ends of the bars 17.

on which are provided anti-friction bearings 24.

The casing 23 protrudes beyond the outer peripheryoftheshell6 to accommodate a ring gear 26 therein. The ring gear 26 has coml shifting bar 17 on the central ring gear 26.

The ring gear 26 is driven in synchronism with the end ring gears 16 by means of a driving gear 29 mounted on the shaft 19 and disposed within a gear housing 31, on the casing The gear 29 is in mesh with the ring gear 26. It is to be noted that the smooth inner periphery of the ring gear 26 is spaced from the bars 17 and is connected to said bars 17 thru the cogs or pins 28 to support the bars and to transmit rotation thereto intermediate the ends of the bars 17. The apparatus may be made of any length without any undue torsion and twisting or bending of the bars 17 If necessary a plurality of such intermediate supporting and driving ring gears may be employed, to securely hold and drive shifting bars of any length desired.

One or more can inlets 32 are provided on the inlet end of the shell 6 for admitting the cans 12, or other packaged goods, thru the shell 6 into the helical track 9 at a point or at different points along the length of the track 9, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2.

At the opposite end of the shell 6 a plurality of can outlets 33 are provided A can ejector 34 is arranged opposite each outlet to direct the cans 12 from the track 9 to the outlet 33. The ejector operates substantially in the manner described in my said co-pending application.

In some instances it is advantageous to prevent the bumping of the cans 12 against the wall of the shell 6, while the cans 12 aro advanced on the track 9. In the illustration in Fig. 4, an annular series of shifter bars 36 is mounted on gear rings 16. The series of hars 36 is rotated in the annular space 11', between the shell 6 and the helical track 9. Each bar 36 is preferably made of T section, the leg of which extends longitudinally toward the track 9', to move the cans on the track. The longitudinal flanges 37 of the T bars 36 prevent the release of the cans from the track 9. Thus the cans 12 are confined between the track 9 and the respective bars cans 12 onto the track 9, the flanges 37 are the shell 6.

To facilitate the discharge of the cans from the track 9', the can outlet from the apl paratus is not placed on the outer shell 6,

but it is on the track 9 opening toward and discharoinr into the interior of the frame i".

Either one or a plurality of such outlets be provided.` c

ln the illustration in Fig. 4, l show a plurality of separate, successive can outlets at successive points of the track 9 may 7 which discharge into a trough 42, the latter being disposed centrally within the frame 7", inthe interior of the helical track 9. r he trough 42 leads thru an end plate of the shell 6 to guide the treated cans from the outlets 4l thru the interior of the shell 6. It is to be A noted than a single trough Vis provided which hinged to the inner periphery of the communicates at the inner end thereof with all'the successive outlets 4l. i

At each outlet 4l is an arcuat ate 43 ack 9', to control the discharge outlet 4l; Said gate 43 has outer flanges 44 thereon, which when the gate 43 is closed, will occupy the cut out spaces 4G of the helical track 9 at the outletr4'l. vThe iianges 44 are so formed as to complete the helical track effect of the track 9 when the particular discharge outl t 4l of i that gate 43 is not 1n use. Thus; the cans l2 are readily advanced on the complemental track 9 over the inoperative or closed outlets 4l, until discharged inwardly thru the open outlet 4l onto the trough 42. The gates 43 .are opened and held closed by control bars 47 extending outside thru the end plate of Fig.

the shell 6', and adapted to be locked in closed position. 39.1

rior of the frame 'I `The gates 43 open inwardly into the inte- The trough 42 must be entirelyl inclosed on the sides thereof, when the frame 7 is open as in Fig. 4, so as to prevent the escapement of the heating` medium, such as hot water from the apparatus.

` In the form of 6 the inner frame 7 is formed by closed cylinder concentric with the outer shell 6. The helical track is secured on the outer periphery of this cylinder 7. In this in- Istance the trough 42 may be formed as an open guide for the cans, because the heating` medium is usually disposed between the cyl` inder 7 andthe shell 6". The interior of the cylinder 7 may be used, in this structure, as a cooler; when the outer shell 6 is used as a cooker. Thus the cans passingl through the trough 42 mayV be cooled or ii'urther treated, before the same are discharged from the apparatus. The trough 42 is suitably inclined to allow he gravity discharge of the cans from the outlets 4l to the outside of the apparatus 6. u

Having thus described this invention, what part rotary movement to the can mover.

the apparatus illustrated in cut away at 38 oppositethe can inlet 39 ofv claimand desire to secure by Letters Patent a reinforcing member secured intermediatethe ends of the can mover, being rotatably supported on the shell; and means drivingly connected to the can mover adjacent the end thereof and connected to said member, to im- 2. ln an apparatus for treating lilled cans, a stationary shell; ahelical can track fixedly arranged in concentrically spaced relation to the shell; a can inlet; a can outlet, and a vroi'gary can mover movable between the shell.

and the can track to advance cans on the helical track from the inlet to thesaid outlet; gear rings adjacent the ends of the can mover; a gear ring on the can mover intermediate its ends; and means drivingly connected tos, all the said gear rings to impart simultaneous rotary movement thereto. i

3. ln an apparatus for treating filled'cans, a stationary shell; a helicalJ can track lixedly arranged in concentrically spaced relation tol the shell; a can inlet; a can outlet, and a rotary can mover movable between the shell and the can track to advance cans on the helical track from the inlet to the said outlet; gear rings adjacent the ends of the can mover; a gear ring on the can mover intermediate its ends, being rotatably supported on the shell; and means drivingly connected to all the said gear rings to impart simultaneous rotary movement thereto.

4. In an apparatus for treating filled cans,

a stationary shell; a helical can track fiXedly arranged in concentrically spaced relation to the shell; a can inlet; a can outlet; an annular series of shifter bars between the can track and the shell; means rotatable in the shell to hold said bars in fixed spaced relation relatively to each other; a reinforcing member rotatably supported relatively to the shell, and supporting the shifter bars inter-4 "L mediate the ends thereof; and means drivmgly connected to the said bar holdmg means `and to said member to impart rotary move- `ment thereto thereby to move said bars 1n 1 the shifting bars between the can track and the shell to advance cansion the helical can track from the inlet to the said outlet.

6. In an apparatus for treating lilled cans, a stationary shell; a helical can track liXedly arranged in concentrically spaced relation to the shell; a can inlet; a can outlet; an annular series of shifter bars between the can track and the shell; a gear ring at each end of the shifting bars on which the bars are held in fiXedly spaced relation, said gear rings being rrotatably mounted relatively to the shell; a

reinforcing gear ring being secured to the shifting bars between the said end gear rings and being rotatably mounted on the shell; a gear transmission mounted on the shell being operatively connected lto all of the said ring gears to impart simultaneous rotary movement thereto, thereby to move the shifting bars between the can track and the shell to advance cans on the helical can track from the inlet to the saidY outlet.

7. In an apparatus for treating filled cans,

. stationary shell sections disposed with the open ends thereof opposite each other; a helical can track fiXedly arranged in circumferentially spaced relation in the shell sections; a can inlet; a can outlet; an annular series of shifter bars between the can track and the shell; a rotatable gear ring in each shell section on which the bars are mounted; a central gear ring rotatably mounted at the joint of the shell sections to support the bars intermediate the ends thereof; and means drivingly connected to said end ring gears and to said central ring gear to impart rotary movement thereto thereby to move the can shifting bars in the space between the can track and the shell to advance cans on the helical can track fromthe inlet to said outlet.

S. In an apparatus for treating lilled cans, a stationary shell; a frame lixedly secured therein in spaced relation to the shell periphery; a helical can track on the frame being extended within the space between the frame and the shell periphery; an annular series of shifting bars between the can track and the shell; means rotatably supported on the shell to support the bars between the ends thereof; means rotatably mounted on the frame to support the oppositeends of the shifting bars; and means to impart rotation to the supporting means to move the bars in the space between the can track and the shell thereby to advance cans on said helical can track from the inlet to said outlet.

9. In an apparatus for treating filled cans; a Stationary shell; a frame fixedly secured therein in spaced relation to the shell periphery; a helical can track on the frame being extended within the space between the frame and the shell periphery; an annular series of shifting bars between the can track and theshell; means rotatably supported on the shell to support the bars intermediate the ends thereof; means rotatably mounted on the frame to support the opposite ends of the shifting bars; means to impart simultaneous rotation to the end supporting means and to the central supporting means to move the bars in the space between the can track and the shell thereby to advance cans on said helical can track from the inlet to said outlet; and longitudinal shell sections secured toA each other, end to end, to form said shell, said intermediate bar supporting means being rotatably mounted on the joint of said shell sections.

10. In an apparatus for treating filled cans; a stationary shell; a frame fixedly secured therein in spaced relation to the shell periphery; a helical can track on the frame being extended within the space between the' frame and the shell periphery; an annular series of shifting bars between the can track and the shell; means rotatably supported on the shell to support the bars intermediate the ends thereof; means rotatably mounted on the frame to support the opposite ends of the shifting bars; means to impart simultaneous rotation to the end supporting means and to the central supporting means to move the bars in the space between the can track and the shell thereby to advance cans on said helical can track from the inlet to said outlet; longitudinal shell sections secured to each other, end to end, to form said shell, saidintermediatebar supporting means being rotatably mounted on the joint of said shell sections, said intermediate supporting means comprising a lianged ring gear rotatably supported on the joint of said shell sections; and a plurality of radial securing elements extending from the inner periphery of said gear ring and being secured to the respective shifting bars.

11. In an apparatus for treating filled cans, a stationary shell; a helical can track fixedly arranged in the shell being spaced from the shell periphery; a can inlet on the outside of the shell communicating with the outer side of the can track; a can outlet communicating with the under side of the can track atthe endthereof opposite the can inlet; a chute arranged interiorly of the can track to direct cans from the outlet through an end of the shell; a rotary can mover movable between the shell and the can track to advance cans on the helical track from the inlet to the outlet; and means on the rotary can mover to hold the cans on the can track during the entire advance of the cans thereon.

12. In an apparatus for treating filled cans, a stationary shell; a helical cantrack fixedly arranged in the Vshell being spaced from the shell periphery; a can inlet on the outside of the shell communicating with the outer side of the can track; a can outlet communicating with the under side of the can track at the end thereof opposite thecan in-V let; a chute arranged interio-rly of the canv track to direct cans from the outlet through anend of the shell; a rotary can mover movable between the shell and the can track to `advance cans'on the helical track from the inlet to the outlet; and retaining elements on the rotary can mover to conine the cans on the track.

13. In an apparatus for "treating filled cans',

a stationary shell; a helical can track iixedly arrangedin the shell being spaced from Ythe shellperiphery; a can inlet on thc outside of the shell communicating with the outer side of the can track; a can outlet communicating With the under side of the vcan trackat the end thereof opposite the can inlet; a chute arranged interior-ly of the can track todirect can-s from the outlet through an end of the shell; an annular series of shifting bars between the can track and the shell periphery; and retaining elements on each bar toV coniine the cans on the track as the cans-are advanced on the can track by said shifting bars.

14. In an apparatus for treating filled cans, a stationary shell; a helical can track ixedly arranged in' the shell being spaced from the shell periphery; a can inlet on the outside of the shell communicating with the-outer side of the can track; a `can outlet communicating with the under side of the can track at the end thereof opposite the can inlet; a chute arranged interiorly of the can track to direct cans from the outlet through an end of the shell; an annular series of shifting bars between the can track and the shell periphery; and longitudinal, retaining iianges on each bar to confine the cans on the track as the cans are advanced on the Ican track by said shifting bars. l

15. In a cooker the combination of a heating box having a can inlet; an annular series of rails Within said box; a helically directed rail concentric with said annular series of rails and complementing the same to form tracks for the cans; means for imparting to one of the components of said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to effect theadvance of the cans on said tracks; and an outlet in the-interior of the box discharging thru an end of the box land communicating with successive pointsin the length of said tracks. V Y

16. In a cooker the combination of a heating box having a can inlet; an annularseries of rails Within said bo-xa helically directed rail concentric with said annular series of rails and complementing Vthe same to i'orm tracks for the cans; means for impartin to a one of the components of said tracks axia rotation relatively to the other to effect the advance of the cans on said tracks; and a plu-` rality of separate successive can outlets in the interior Vof the box communicating With successive points in the length of said tracks.

17. In an apparatus to treat iilled cans, a heating box vhaving a can inlet; a helicallydirected can track Within the box; an annular series of rails Within said box arranged concentrically With said helical can track and complementing Vthe track; means for imparting to one of the complementing components of the track axial rotation relatively to theV to impart rotary movement to the annular series of rails aroundA the can track; and a can outlet on the under side of the can track discharging thru the interior of the box. y

19. In an apparatus to treat filled cans, a heating box having a can inlet; a helically directed can track arranged concentrically Within the box and beingl spaced from the box periphery; an annular series of rails in the space between the box and the helical` can track; means to impart rotary movement to the annular series of rails around the can track; and a plurality of separate, successive can outlets at successive points of the track, discharging thru the interior of the box.

20. In an apparatus to treat filled cans, a heating box having a can inlet; a. helically direc-ted can track arranged concentrically Within the box and being spaced from the box periphery; an annular series of rails in the space between the box and the helical can track to advance cans on said track; means to impart rotary movement to the annular series of rails around the Vcan track; and a can outlet on the under side of the can track discharging thru the interior of the box, each of 'said annular series'of rails `having retaining elements thereon being arranged to leave the rails openopposite the inlet on the box.

21. In an apparatus for treating filled cans,

a stationary shell; a helical can track fixedly arranged in the shell,being spaced lfrom the shell periphery; a can inleton the `outside of the shell communicating with the outer cir` Cumt'erence of the can track at one end thereof; aplurality of can outlets communicating' at successive points with the interior circumferenceof the can track atthe end thereof opposite the can inlet; a rotary can mover movable between the shell and the can track to advance cans on the helical track from the inlet to a selected outlet; and means on the rotary can mover to hold the cans on the can around the can track to advance cans on the track; and a plurality of separate successive can outlets in the trame communicating with successive points in the length ot the can track and discharging thru the interior of the frame.

23. In an apparatus for. treating iilled cans, a heating box having an inlet thereon; a trame tixedly secured therein in spaced relation to the box periphery; ay helical can track on the frame; an annular series of rails between the can track and the shell; means to impart axial rotation to said series ot rails around the can track to advance cans on the track; a plurality of separate successive can outlets in the frame communicating with successive points in the length of the can track and discharging thru the interior of the frame; and a chute to guide the cans trom said outlets thru an end of the box.

24. In an apparatus for treating filled cans, a heating box having an inlet thereon; a frame ixedly secured therein in spaced relation to the box periphery; a helical can track on the trame; an annular series ot rails between the can track and the shell; means to impart axial rotation to said series ot rails around the can track to advance cans on the track; a plurality of separate successive can outlets in the fra-me communicating with successive points in the lengthv of the can track and discharging thru the interior of the frame; a chute to guide the cans from said outlets thru an end of the box; and means to separately control one of said can outlets to permit the discharge of the cans from any predetermined outlet.

25. In an apparatus for treating yfilled cans; a heating box having an inlet thereon; a frame tixedly secured therein in spaced relationto the box periphery; a helical can track on the trame; an annular series of rails between the can track and the shell; means to impart axial rotation to said series of rails around the can track to advance cans on the track; a plurality of separate successive can outlets in the frame communicating Ywith successive points in the length ofthe can track and discharging thru the interior ot the frame; and a chute to guide the cans from said outlets thru a side of the box; said controlling means extending outside of the box.

26. In an apparatus Jfor treating illed cans, a heating box having an inlet thereon; a trame fixedly secured therein in spaced relation to the box periphery; a helical can track on the trame; an annular series ot rails between the can track and the shell; means to impart axial rotation to said series of rails around the can track to advance cans on the track; a plurality of separate successive can outlets in the frame communicating with successive points in the length of the can track and discharging thru the interior of the iframe; a chute to guide the cans from said outlets thru a side of the box; and means to separately control each of said can outlets to permit the discharge ot the cans from any predetermined outlet, the arm portions of the helix rail being cut out opposite the out lets to permit the delivery of the cans into the interior of the chute, said controlling means havingv outer ilanges adapted when closed; to itl in the cut out portions of the helix rail and to continue the track effect ot said iail.` l

27. In a cooker; the combination of a heating box having a can inlet; an annular series of rails Within said box, the base flanges of said rails being cutaway at a point opposite the can inlet; a helically directed rail concentric with said annular series of rails and complementing the same to form tracks for the cans; means for imparting to one of the components of said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to effect the advance of the cans on the said tracks; and an outlet in the interior of the box discharging through an end ot the box 'and communicating with successive points in the length of saidtracks, the base flanges of said helical rail being cut away adjacentthe outlet to permit cans to be discharged from' the can track.

28. In a cooker; the combination of a heating box having a can inlet; an annular series ofrailswithin said box, the base iianges of said rails being cut away at a point opposite the can inlet a helically directed rail concentric w'ith said annular series of rails and plate connecting the same to form tracks for the cans; means for imparting to one of the openings of said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to effect the advance of the cans on said tracks; and a plurality of separate successive can outlets in the interior of the box communicating with successive points in the length ot said track; the base anges of said helical rail being cut away adjacent 'the outlets to permit cans to be discharged from the can track.

29. In a. cooker the combination ot a heat ing box having a can inlet; an annular series of rails 'within said box; a helically directed rail concentric with said annular series of rails and complementing the same to form ist tracks for the cans; means for imparting to one of the components of said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to effect the advance of the cans on said tracks; a plurality of separate successive can outlets in the interior of the box communicating with successive points in the length of said tracks, the base flanges of said helical rail being cut away adjacent each outlet; a door covering each can outlet having flanges therein to form a continuation of each cut away portion of said helical rail; and means to open and close any selected door.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at San Francisco, California, this 14th day of Januar 1930.

LIN OLN V. JOHNSON. 

